Port for sale by retailer

Zelandakh · Post by **Zelandakh** » 22:15 Thu 03 Nov 2011

Following on from RAYC's tip, Tesco at Henley has a dozen less of the Dow's Master Blend LBV 2006.

The eleven bottles I bought should be very good and I am planning to show all ten bottles that I purchased to my friends on Saturday...

SushiNorth · Post by **SushiNorth** » 05:37 Thu 10 Nov 2011

Does anyone have suggestions for places that I should stop by while in central London?

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 08:59 Thu 10 Nov 2011

SushiNorth wrote:Does anyone have suggestions for places that I should stop by while in central London?

In terms of supermarkets, try Tesco in West Kensington as they usually have a decent (12-15) range of port. Waitrose in Canary Wharf offers second growth claret by the case (at least they used to, its a while since I've been there). Fortnum & Mason and Harrods both have good wine shelves with decent port selections. Last time I was in Harrods they had a bottle of Scion on display under nice bright lights.

Berry's is a must visit - but call ahead and see if you can get someone to give you a little tour round the shop and cellar. Give yourself an extra few minutes to visit the (very) small square behind Berry's where the Embassy of Texas was based during their brief period of independance.

Justerini & Brooks, Davys, Soho Wines, Uncorked, Bibendum, Farr Vintners and Corney & Barrow are all London based wine merchants, but I would recommend reviewing their on-line wine lists rather than visiting their shops. El Vino, Davys, Nicholsons, Corney & Barrow are all wine bars that offer port by the glass. There's also another wine bar next to Charing Cross Station that I can never remember the name of that's worth a visit - Jacob, help me out here please?

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 11:50 Thu 10 Nov 2011

BBR and Fortnums are close by each other and can be done together easily.

For wine-based activities, the Sampler is also good fun - their South Kensington store has 80 wines available to taste - including (currently, but changes every 2 weeks): Taylors 1966 ; La Rioja Alta 890 GR 1970; Voerzio Brunate Barolo 1998; Gaja Barbaresco 1991; Chave Hermitage 1999; Margaux 1985; Valdespino Toneles; and Palmer 1986.

Also worthy of a mention is a Douro dinner being held by Boisdalesin Canary Wharf on Friday 18 November. It is being hosted by Henry Shotton, chief wine maker at Malvedos. I have never been to Boisdale in Canary Wharf, but i am a big fan of their Belgravia restaurant (nr Victoria station), which has, in addition to good steak, an excellent cigar terrace (though you need to book that separately at the same time that you book your meal) and great live jazz/blues every night. Boisdale is the company that had the Nebuchadnezzer of Dow 1896 that prompted a few threads earlier in the history of this forum, and has a good menu/wine (though is expensive).

If you want a quirky traditional British restaurant, specialising in game, with a good Rhone-based wine list and an excellent little pre/post-dinner cocktail bar, i think Rules is very nice - located just of Covent Gdn. It apparently has good claim to be the oldest restaurant in London.

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 12:11 Thu 10 Nov 2011

AHB wrote:There's also another wine bar next to Charing Cross Station that I can never remember the name of that's worth a visit - Jacob, help me out here please?

Gordon's Wine Bar? I have never been, but have always been intrigued by their "beaker of tawny" out of the barrel

[Edit: yes - here is Jacob's review, together with his review of El Vino. Perhaps we should have an easily accessible thread with good TPF recommendations for thirsty visitors to London. Maybe that's what Jacob's thread was intended to be...]

Alex M · Post by **Alex M** » 12:46 Thu 10 Nov 2011

Has anybody had any experience of using Wilkinson Vintners? They have the 1958 Vargellas that I am after however my order would not come close to breaching their £500 minimum. Has anybody managed to bypass this rule?

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 12:48 Thu 10 Nov 2011

I have used WiIlkinson Vintners on a handful of occasions, but have never tried to have them relax their £500 minimum spend - it never really occurred to me that they would.

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 13:03 Thu 10 Nov 2011

Alex M wrote:Has anybody had any experience of using Wilkinson Vintners? They have the 1958 Vargellas that I am after however my order would not come close to breaching their £500 minimum. Has anybody managed to bypass this rule?

I have run across this problem before with other wine merchants due to their status as "wholesale" rather than retail sellers (i haven't looked into alcohol licensing laws, so won't pretend to know the finer details of this or their concerns).

If you are unable to persuade them, i do currently have an order placed with Wilkinson. I would be happy to add to this, if you were willing to transfer money to me (or to another TPF member) on trust and central London were a convenient place to arrange hand-over of the ports. Or i'm sure i could arrange separate shipping to you directly from Wilkinson, presumably at an additional fee.

Alex M · Post by **Alex M** » 14:37 Thu 10 Nov 2011

RAYC- i've sent you a message.

Post by **DRT** » 10:12 Sat 12 Nov 2011

I can't remember if I have ever asked Wilkinson to do this but I have definitely purchased port below the stated minimum order value from more than one merchant. The worst that can happen is that they say no when you ask but I have found that they tend to be more interested in making a sale than turning away the business.

benread · Post by **benread** » 18:47 Mon 14 Nov 2011

RAYC wrote:So...an interesting trip to Tesco tonight.

As griff alluded to upthread (or on the recent buy thread), there is both a Noval 2005 lbv and a Quinta do Noval "single vineyard" lbv on sale at Tesco.

Except...when I took my goodies to the checkout, there was no code for the single vineyard lbv so they would not sell it to me and proceeded to clear the shelves of the other bottles!

Rob,

Work necessitated a trip to Tesco on Purley way tonight, where I spotted a single bottle of the Noval 2005 Unfiltered Single Vineyard LBV. I encountered the same initial problem - but a different outcome! No code = problem. Supervisor = solution! How much she asked, did I thin k it was advertised for. £11 something I replied. HOw does £11 exactly sound. Great I said!

One bottle now available for avaluation against a normal 2005 Noval LBV as and when we can find a suitable moment!

Happy birthday for yesterday.

Ben

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 20:00 Mon 14 Nov 2011

Tesco appear to have reintroduced the discount on the half bottles of Croft 2004 - now down to £4.20.

Also reduced prices on Tesco 1994 VP, Noval 2005 LBV (but no single quinta on the shelf) and Dow 2006 LBV.

Post by **jdaw1** » 19:42 Tue 06 Dec 2011

George Rhys of [url=http://www.es-finewines.com/]Elliston Southwick Fine Wines[/url] wrote:3 cases Quinta do Noval 1963 £1195
3 cases Warre 1970 £695
3 cases Fonseca 1970 £1250
5 cases Dow 1977 £695
2 cases Taylor 1977 £1180

Southwick Court Fine Wines Ltd
2 Spice Court|Ivory Square|Plantation Wharf|London|SW11 3UE
Tel: +44 207 801 2432

Post by **DRT** » 08:56 Sun 18 Dec 2011

Seckford Wines have lots of 6-packs on their list at very good prices. It looks very like one of their customers has asked them to sell their cellar (or part of it).

Glenn E. · Post by **Glenn E.** » 05:44 Mon 19 Dec 2011

Too bad, no 2000 Vesuvio OWC.

Post by **jdaw1** » 18:48 Mon 19 Dec 2011

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society wrote:Quinta do Noval Extra Dry Port

With a bright, golden colour with an almond nuttiness on the nose, this fine festive port shows great, fresh-fruit character on the palate and some almond-vanilla character in the finish. Slightly off-dry and crispness, perfect when chilled in the fridge.

Date Distilled: 2004

£14.00

4 bottles remaining

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 09:48 Tue 20 Dec 2011

Tesco have launched a bid for the last minute before Christmas rush and my local has the following prices of interest:
* (The much improved) Cockburn Special Reserve - £10.25 for 1 litre
* Dow Master Blend finest reserve - £6.49 per bottle
* Dow Master Blend 2006 LBV - £7.15 per bottle
* Taylor 10 yo tawny - £17.29 per bottle
* Graham 10 yo tawny - £14.99 per bottle
* Graham LBV (didn't note the vintage) - £9.99 per bottle
* Taylor 2005 LBV - £10.10 per bottle
* Bomfim 1999 - £21.50 per bottle
* Taylor 1985 - £56.99 per bottle
* Tesco 1994 - £17.99 per bottle

You also get an extra 5% off if you buy 6 or more bottles

smisse · Post by **smisse** » 18:49 Tue 20 Dec 2011

The German discounter Aldi has a Almeida 20y old for sale in Holland. 14,99eur

Would be interested to know if anyome knows this port or dares trying it

Edited to add link with picture
http://www.aldi.nl/TIPP_NL_SA/index51.shtml

Post by **DRT** » 18:55 Tue 20 Dec 2011

The label appears to say "Bottled by Sogevinus Fine Wines" so this is probably produced by Barros Almeida. Given that their specialty is tawny rather than ruby ports there is no reason why this shouldn't be a good bottle, especially at that price.

Good luck!

smisse · Post by **smisse** » 19:03 Tue 20 Dec 2011

DRT wrote:The label appears to say "Bottled by Sogevinus Fine Wines" so this is probably produced by Barros Almeida. Given that their specialty is tawny rather than ruby ports there is no reason why this shouldn't be a good bottle, especially at that price.

Good luck!

Maybe I should indeed try it.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 12:39 Wed 28 Dec 2011

Farr Vintners have just announced the start of their sale. Minimum order for sale items is £350, but they have the following port on offer:

Vargellas Vinha Velha - £990 per case of 3, 1 case available
Churchill 1994 - £220 per case of 12, 1 case available
Gould Campbell 1994 - £295 per case of 12, 1 case available
Graham 1991 - £360 per case of 12, 2 cases available

I make no comment as to how good these prices are, other than to reflect that BBR currently has the Vargellas Vinha Velha on offer for £450 per case of 3 in bond and the Gould Campbell for £539 per case of 12, duty and VAT inclusive.

Andy Velebil · Post by **Andy Velebil** » 14:28 Wed 28 Dec 2011

AHB wrote:Farr Vintners have just announced the start of their sale. Minimum order for sale items is £350, but they have the following port on offer:

Vargellas Vinha Velha - £990 per case of 3, 1 case available
Churchill 1994 - £220 per case of 12, 1 case available
Gould Campbell 1994 - £295 per case of 12, 1 case available
Graham 1991 - £360 per case of 12, 2 cases available

I make no comment as to how good these prices are, other than to reflect that BBR currently has the Vargellas Vinha Velha on offer for £450 per case of 3 in bond and the Gould Campbell for £539 per case of 12, duty and VAT inclusive.

And you all say it's cheaper over there than here, Bah!

Post by **PhilW** » 21:31 Fri 30 Dec 2011

Waitrose currently have Warre's Quinta da Cavadinha 1996 on offer at £25 per bottle.

Post by **PhilW** » 11:58 Wed 04 Jan 2012

PhilW wrote:Waitrose currently have Warre's Quinta da Cavadinha 1996 on offer at £25 per bottle.

Warre 96 also now on offer at Morrisons (until Sunday) at £23 each.
(Warre 2006 LBV available at £10/bottle in same offer, although it's the filtered version).

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 19:40 Wed 04 Jan 2012

The Cruz 2002 lbv is on sale for £6.99 at Sainsbury (seemingly until 06/03/12).

Despite my preconceptions, this was actually a rather good port when i tried it (see also Carl's recent note). Driven cork, so i believe to be unfiltered, but did not look closely at label.

At that price, i think it is certainly a go-er, though i would want to re-try (in a more sober state) before piling in for multiple bottles!

Post by **DRT** » 20:25 Wed 04 Jan 2012

Asda are selling the new-style Cockburn Special Reserve for £8.something per bottle.

Alex M · Post by **Alex M** » 18:45 Sat 07 Jan 2012

BBR have magnums of Grahams Quinta dos Malvedos 1979 for £110 per bottle.

Mark D · Post by **Mark D** » 22:04 Sun 08 Jan 2012

Graham's 40 year tawny, only $129.99

Save $20 per bottle.

Daily Special. Ends tonight, 1/8/12

http://www.Portwine2u.com

g-man · Post by **g-man** » 21:49 Mon 16 Jan 2012

http://www.getwines.com/vsku1513040.html

Eye watering price

Andy Velebil · Post by **Andy Velebil** » 23:15 Mon 16 Jan 2012

g-man wrote:http://www.getwines.com/vsku1513040.html

Eye watering price

I hope that's a case price.

Glenn E. · Post by **Glenn E.** » 23:19 Mon 16 Jan 2012

Andy Velebil wrote:
g-man wrote:http://www.getwines.com/vsku1513040.html

Eye watering price
I hope that's a case price.

Yeah that'd be reasonable for a case of 500 ml bottles. It's crazy for a single, though.

g-man · Post by **g-man** » 00:27 Tue 17 Jan 2012

nope case was 2k$ USD

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 12:20 Sun 22 Jan 2012

Tesco currently have their Tesco Finest 1994 VP on offer at £19

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 11:58 Mon 23 Jan 2012

Roeda 1997 currently on sale at thedrinkshop.com for £16.41 (inc. VAT).

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 19:42 Tue 24 Jan 2012

My local Sainsbury's has Cruz 2002 LBV (bottled 2007) on offer at half price - which I think was £7 for a bottle. I'm posting this in response to the positive reviews it's had on this forum recently.

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 11:03 Wed 25 Jan 2012

AHB wrote:My local Sainsbury's has Cruz 2002 LBV (bottled 2007) on offer at half price - which I think was £7 for a bottle. I'm posting this in response to the positive reviews it's had on this forum recently.

You may have missed my post about this earlier in January here - probably because it was the last of the previous page.

If you can't find sufficient quantity in-store, it also seems to be available at that price on their website for orders delivered by 6 March. I was going to give another single bottle a go before buying in any quantity....but have not yet got round to it.

Zelandakh · Post by **Zelandakh** » 22:08 Wed 25 Jan 2012

Quite nice but I may prefer the Dow's Midnight although Asda have put that up to £5.86 for a 500ml bottle. Need to try both in a sitting as the taste buds are playing up recently.

JWEW · Post by **JWEW** » 12:24 Tue 07 Feb 2012

Ocado have an offer of buy any 6 bottles and get 25% discount.

This means that, among others,the Warre's Quinta da Cavadinha 1996 works out at £22.49, Taylors Vargellas 2001 at £21.74
and Graham's 20 Year Old Tawny Port £26.24

Post by **DRT** » 17:25 Wed 14 Mar 2012

In an email to AHB and DRT, James Maitland (Seckford Wines) wrote:Derek, Alex ”“ I hope all’s well.

I have a small parcel of 1992 Bomfim; is this of interest to the Port Forum?

Dow’s 1992 Quinta do Bomfim £195 in bond per 12-OC £224 ex VAT (£268.80 inc VAT)

with thanks
James

Subsequent email exchanges confirmed that this offer is for case quantities only and that 5 cases are available with an option on another 5. These have not yet been posted on Seckford's list, so we are getting first chance to snap them up.

1 case is already taken.

Please post here if you are interested in either a half or a full case. If we have an equal number of people interested in half cases the orders can be combined. I am happy to place the order but payment and logisitcs will be down to each purchaser (or purchasing pair) to arrange for themselves.

I will be responding to James by close of business UK time on Friday.

DRT

g-man · Post by **g-man** » 18:08 Wed 14 Mar 2012

There are moments where i'd think i'd be happier in london.

Post by **DRT** » 19:24 Wed 14 Mar 2012

DRT wrote:Dow’s 1992 Quinta do Bomfim £195 in bond per 12-OC £224 ex VAT (£268.80 inc VAT) ! 5 cases are available with an option on another 5.

3 cases now taken.

Please PM or email me if you want some.

Post by **DRT** » 09:53 Thu 15 Mar 2012

DRT wrote:
DRT wrote:Dow’s 1992 Quinta do Bomfim £195 in bond per 12-OC £224 ex VAT (£268.80 inc VAT) ! 5 cases are available with an option on another 5.
3 cases now taken.

Please PM or email me if you want some.

4 cases now taken. The "optional" 5 cases have now been made available so there are 6 left at this price.

Post by **DRT** » 11:58 Thu 15 Mar 2012

DRT wrote:
DRT wrote:
DRT wrote:Dow’s 1992 Quinta do Bomfim £195 in bond per 12-OC £224 ex VAT (£268.80 inc VAT) ! 5 cases are available with an option on another 5.
3 cases now taken.

Please PM or email me if you want some.
4 cases now taken. The "optional" 5 cases have now been made available so there are 6 left at this price.

6 cases taken, 4 cases still available.

Post by **DRT** » 21:29 Mon 26 Mar 2012

DRT wrote:
In an email to AHB and DRT, James Maitland (Seckford Wines) wrote:Derek, Alex ”“ I hope all’s well.

I have a small parcel of 1992 Bomfim; is this of interest to the Port Forum?

Dow’s 1992 Quinta do Bomfim £195 in bond per 12-OC £224 ex VAT (£268.80 inc VAT)

with thanks
James
Subsequent email exchanges confirmed that this offer is for case quantities only and that 5 cases are available with an option on another 5. These have not yet been posted on Seckford's list, so we are getting first chance to snap them up.

1 case is already taken.

Please post here if you are interested in either a half or a full case. If we have an equal number of people interested in half cases the orders can be combined. I am happy to place the order but payment and logisitcs will be down to each purchaser (or purchasing pair) to arrange for themselves.

I will be responding to James by close of business UK time on Friday.

DRT

10 more cases have been made available to us if we want them. Please let me know by Wednesday lunchtime.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 08:07 Wed 04 Apr 2012

Waitrose are currently discounting Warre 2001 Traditional LBV (bottled 2005) by £5, shelf price is now £18 - not cheap, but cheap enough to tempt me to buy one to open tonight.

Glenn E. · Post by **Glenn E.** » 16:18 Wed 04 Apr 2012

AHB wrote:Waitrose are currently discounting Warre 2001 Traditional LBV (bottled 2005) by £5, shelf price is now £18 - not cheap, but cheap enough to tempt me to buy one to open tonight.

I had one not too long ago and liked it. Give it a good, long decant though - mine was best after 24 hours. If our pattern holds, I suspect you will rate it around 85 points. (It seems like I'm usually 3-5 points higher than you for most Ports.)

Mine was also rather expensive. It was $32 on the shelf ($27 after a discount for buying 6 bottles) and I can normally get LBVs for around $20.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 18:39 Wed 04 Apr 2012

Glenn E. wrote:Give it a good, long decant though - mine was best after 24 hours.

Thanks for the tip. I might pop 'n' pour a couple of glasses tonight and then come back to the decanter tomorrow evening when it will have had the benefit of 24 hours air time.

Post by **DRT** » 17:32 Fri 06 Apr 2012

Asda are selling Dow's Crusted bottled 2004 for £11.85.

I opened the 2003 blend today - very nice!

SCP · Post by **SCP** » 18:50 Wed 18 Apr 2012

(My first non-"hello" post)
I noticed quite alot of Dow QdBonfim 1992 being talked about/bought.
Would just like to inform you guys that it's on sale at £160/cs ex-VAT (DP I think) at
http://www.welovefinewines.com/dow-quin ... -1992-case.
Delivery free for £200+ orders.
Sadly I personally have nowhere to store 2 cases and am not willing to pay for delivery, otherwise I'd have bought plenty myself.
Happy hunting!
(on another note, couldn't find any of the Croft 2004 LBV in my 2 tescos

)

Zelandakh · Post by **Zelandakh** » 21:00 Thu 19 Apr 2012

Hmm, that's a good spot. I've unfortunately paid for mine now and that link would have saved me over £150...

Paid over the odds some weeks ago and waiting on delivery date of "the week after Easter" which is now going to be "think they are coming in to us this week".

Boo.